Judges 6: Lessons on Trusting God from Gideon’s Response to God’s Calling

Trust God and obey His calling in your life1

Introduction: This chapter tells the story of God’s calling in Gideon’s life to deliver Israel from the Midianites. This account mirrors God’s calling in Moses’ life, and the initial failures of Moses’ faith. Like Moses, Gideon failed to trust God when He called Gideon into service. Yet, unlike Moses, Gideon was a flawed deliverer. He later descended further into sin after God used him. From Gideon’s calling and his initial response, God reveals seven lessons on trusting Him.

First, from the Jews’ oppression at the hands of the Midianites and the Amalekites after sinning, God reveals that ongoing sin will lead to ongoing suffering. Second, from His promise to deliver the Jews even though they failed to repent of their sins, He reveals that He is filled with mercy and grace when you call out to Him. Third, from His selection of Gideon as His deliverer, He reveals that He will lift up the lowly and humble to be His servants. Fourth, from Gideon’s demand for a sign in response to God’s calling, He reveals that true faith trusts in Him and His Word. Fifth, from Gideon’s obedience in destroying the altar of Baal and an Asherah pole, He reveals that true faith produces the fruit of obedience in destroying the idols in your life. Sixth, from the Jews’ attempt to kill Gideon for destroying their idols, He reveals that Satan will pursue you when you serve the Lord. Finally, from Gideon’s demand for two more signs after the Midianites and the Amalekites pursued after Him, He reveals that He is the God of multiple chances. Even when your faith fails you, He will give you multiple chances to return to Him.

1. Ongoing Sin Leads to Ongoing Oppression. Judges 6:1-6.

2. God is Filled with Mercy and Grace When You Cry Out for Help. Judges 6:7-10.

3. God Uses the Lowly and the Meek as His Servants. Judges 6:11-15.

When God is with you, the enemy cannot defeat you (Rom. 8:31)2

4. True Faith Trusts in God and His Word. Judges 6:16-24.

Ferdinand Bol (1616-1680) “Gideon and the Angel” (etching 1640)3

5. Faith Should Lead Obedience in Destroying the Idols of the Flesh. Judges 6:25-27.

Pieter Aertsen (1507/8-1575) “The destruction of Baal’s altar (drawing est. 1550-55)4

6. Satan Will Seek to Retaliate When You Serve God. Judges 6:28-32.

7. God Provides Many Chances for You to Turn to Him and Trust Him. Judges 6:33-40.